Marker Compound Analysis for Herbal and AYUSH Products
Quantitative label claims on AYUSH and herbal supplement products — "standardised to 5% withanolides", "95% curcuminoids", "10% andrographolide" — require analytical evidence against a certified reference standard. Without a NABL-accredited marker compound assay, the claim is unsubstantiated: ASCI advertising orders, marketplace delisting, CDSCO regulatory action, and AYUSH licence dossier rejection all follow. Auriga Research provides quantitative HPLC and HPTLC marker compound analysis for the full range of Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy actives, against the API, UPI, SPI, USP, and EP monographs that apply.
Our scope covers the marker compound layer that follows phytochemical screening — once the class is confirmed present, the named marker is quantified. Routine assay panels include withanolides (ashwagandha), curcuminoids (turmeric), andrographolide (kalmegh), piperine (black pepper), gymnemic acid (gymnema), boswellic acids (salai guggul), glycyrrhizin (licorice), bacosides (brahmi), ginsenosides (ginseng), centellosides (Centella), and other named pharmacopoeial markers. Custom marker method development plus full ICH Q2(R1) validation is available for proprietary actives or botanicals where the monograph is silent.
Testing is performed at our Delhi HQ (Arbro Analytical Division, NABL TC-7375) — India's first herbal testing lab licensed by the Directorate of ISM&H, AYUSH approved since 2004 (DTL-01 A&U), and holder of the Unani licence. HPLC platforms across the Arbro Group provide capacity for routine, high-volume batch-release marker assay; HPTLC pairs alongside for the pharmacopoeial chromatographic confirmation. Backed by the Arbro Group's unbroken NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation since 2003, reports are accepted by the Ministry of AYUSH, CDSCO, state AYUSH licensing authorities, ASCI for label claim substantiation, and EU / US / Gulf / ASEAN export regulators.
Six Marker Compound Categories
Each card lists the chemical category, the named markers within that category, and the example botanicals where the marker is the primary label-claim driver.
Triterpene & Steroidal Markers
Withanolides (ashwagandha — Withania somnifera), gymnemic acid (Gymnema sylvestre), boswellic acids (Boswellia serrata salai guggul), centellosides (Centella asiatica), and related triterpenoid markers by HPLC.
Polyphenolic & Curcuminoid Markers
Total curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin in turmeric), tannins, gallic acid, ellagic acid, EGCG and other catechins in green tea, and polyphenolic markers by HPLC with UV / DAD.
Diterpene Markers
Andrographolide and neoandrographolide (kalmegh — Andrographis paniculata), forskolin (Coleus forskohlii), tinosporaside (giloy — Tinospora cordifolia), and related diterpene markers by HPLC.
Alkaloid Markers
Piperine (Piper nigrum / longum), berberine (Berberis aristata daruharidra), reserpine (Rauwolfia serpentina), vasicine (Adhatoda vasica), and other quantified alkaloid markers by HPLC with UV.
Glycoside & Saponin Markers
Glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhiza glabra licorice), ginsenosides (Panax ginseng), bacosides (Bacopa monnieri brahmi), shatavarins (Asparagus racemosus shatavari), and other glycoside markers by HPLC.
Custom Marker Method Development
Method development plus full ICH Q2(R1) validation (specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, LOD, LOQ, robustness) for proprietary markers or botanicals where the API / UPI / SPI / USP / EP monograph is silent.
Three-layer herbal characterisation: (1) Phytochemical Screening identifies which classes are present (qualitative). (2) Marker Compound Analysis (this page) quantifies specific named markers. (3) Standardisation & Fingerprinting bundles identity, HPTLC fingerprint matching, and marker assay into the pharmacopoeial-standardisation package for AYUSH licence dossiers.
How It Works
Get a Quote
Share the botanical, the named marker(s) you need quantified, the AYUSH / pharmacopoeial framework (API / UPI / SPI / USP / EP), the purpose (label claim, batch release, AYUSH licence dossier, ASCI substantiation), and whether method development is required. Your dedicated SPOC confirms the analytical method, the reference standard source, and the sample quantity required before you dispatch.
Send Your Sample
Dispatch the raw material, extract, or finished AYUSH product with a completed Test Request Form to the Delhi HQ (Arbro Analytical Division) lab. Each sample is bar coded and registered in YLIMS, Auriga's in-house Laboratory Information Management System, upon receipt. Sample preparation per the validated method begins within 24 hours of registration.
Quantitative HPLC / HPTLC Analysis and QA Review
Your sample is analysed by HPLC with UV, DAD, or fluorescence detection (or LC-MS/MS where the marker concentration is at trace level) against a certified reference standard. HPTLC chromatographic confirmation runs in parallel where the AYUSH or USP monograph requires it. Quantitation is reported as percentage content (w/w) and milligrams per gram or per dose. Every result is interpreted against the per-preparation monograph limit and passes formal internal QA review and sign-off before the report is generated.
Receive Your NABL Report
Your NABL-accredited marker compound report is delivered digitally within the committed turnaround time. Reports cite the analytical method, the reference standard, the named marker(s) quantified, the percentage content, and the compliance verdict against the monograph or claim. Accepted by Ministry of AYUSH, CDSCO, ASCI, state AYUSH licensing authorities, marketplaces, and EU / US / Gulf / ASEAN export regulators. Track sample status through YLIMS.
Turnaround Time
| Panel | Standard TAT | Express |
|---|---|---|
| Single marker assay on established validated method (HPLC) | 5 to 7 business days | Available |
| Multi-marker assay panel on established methods | 5 to 7 business days | Available |
| HPTLC marker quantification (pharmacopoeial reference) | 5 to 7 business days | Available |
| Batch-release marker assay (routine) | 5 to 7 business days | Available |
| Custom method development | 2 to 3 weeks | On request |
| Full ICH Q2(R1) method validation | 4 to 6 weeks | On request |
| LC-MS/MS confirmation for trace markers | 7 to 10 business days | On request |
Who Needs Marker Compound Analysis
- AYUSH-licensed manufacturers preparing licence dossiers where the per-preparation API / UPI / SPI monograph specifies a marker assay limit.
- Brands making quantitative label claims ("standardised to X% withanolides", "95% curcuminoids", "10% andrographolide") requiring documented evidence for ASCI advertising defence.
- Herbal supplement and nutraceutical brands launching on Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, Myntra, and other marketplaces requiring marker assay data for the product listing dossier.
- Private label contract manufacturers building marker assay data packs for brand-owner handover and downstream batch release.
- Exporters supplying EU and US markets where USP and EP herbal monographs specify marker compound quantification for the import dossier.
- Brands launching reformulated or improved formulations needing fresh marker assay data on the new batch profile.
- QC and batch-release teams running routine marker assay on every production batch for in-house specification compliance.
- Brands contesting an ASCI label-claim challenge, marketplace listing rejection, or CDSCO finding on marker content — full re-assay on documented NABL chain of custody.
Why Auriga for Marker Compound Analysis
HPLC + HPTLC Under One Roof
HPLC platforms across the Arbro Group provide capacity for routine, high-volume batch-release marker assay. HPTLC pairs alongside for the pharmacopoeial chromatographic confirmation that AYUSH and EP monographs reference.
Pharmacopoeial Method Alignment
Methods follow the per-preparation API, UPI, SPI, USP, and EP herbal monograph. Where the monograph is silent or the marker is proprietary, Auriga develops and validates a custom method per ICH Q2(R1).
Common AYUSH Markers Ready to Test
Established validated methods on file for withanolides, curcuminoids, andrographolide, piperine, gymnemic acid, boswellic acids, glycyrrhizin, bacosides, ginsenosides, and other commonly requested markers — fast turnaround on routine batch assay.
ASCI Label Claim Substantiation
Quantitative label claims need documented evidence. NABL-accredited marker assay against certified reference standards generates the ASCI-defensible substantiation file for any "standardised to X%" claim on label or marketing.
First ISM&H-Licensed Herbal Lab
Delhi HQ is India's first herbal testing lab licensed by the Directorate of ISM&H, AYUSH approved since 2004 (DTL-01 A&U), and holder of the Unani licence. The audit trail Ministry of AYUSH, CDSCO, and export reviewers look for in a marker assay partner.
Integrated with Stability and Fingerprinting
Marker assay flows seamlessly into stability tracking (marker decay across pull points) and standardisation (HPTLC fingerprint pairing) — same SPOC, same NABL chain of custody, consolidated reporting.